... FYI those headphones you wore on your Emirates flight were most likely Phitek (Blackbox is their non avionic consumer brand) as they have the contact to provide noise cancelling headphones for Emirates, Qantas, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines... if you are lucky enough to be in 1st or business class.

So if you like those headphones go for the Blackbox M16 which will use similar technology and standards and be better quality than the headphones handed out on flights (you would think).

talisker: Just avoid Bose! They're the audio equivalent of sets of knives sold by TV advertorials. They have some superficially attractive features to lure people in, but they are junk.

I'm not so sure about that. They used to make excellent 'lifestyle' systems but have not updated the styling since the 70's, and these systems are not even close to competitive last time I had a listen. But this is only one product and does not mean all their other products are crap.

Contact Phitek directly they are based in New Market, Auckland http://www.phitek.com/default,394,contact-phitek.sm.

I emailed them just asking if I could send them in to have the headstrap replaced, I told them it was out of warranty.

They just wanted to see a proof of purchase, which for me was Noel Leeming in Sylvia Park. I no longer had the receipt but was able to provide the date and price from my internet banking history. They then cross referenced this and said they will just provide me with the new M16s at no charge. I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to come into stock as they were the brand new model at the time, replacing the M14.

This may have just been a one off but definitely have a go in contacting them. The lady I was dealing with was called Maddie and was very helpful. Let me know how you get on.

Contact Phitek directly they are based in New Market, Auckland http://www.phitek.com/default,394,contact-phitek.sm.

I emailed them just asking if I could send them in to have the headstrap replaced, I told them it was out of warranty.

They just wanted to see a proof of purchase, which for me was Noel Leeming in Sylvia Park. I no longer had the receipt but was able to provide the date and price from my internet banking history. They then cross referenced this and said they will just provide me with the new M16s at no charge. I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to come into stock as they were the brand new model at the time, replacing the M14.

This may have just been a one off but definitely have a go in contacting them. The lady I was dealing with was called Maddie and was very helpful. Let me know how you get on.

The NC headphones I am currently using is Philips SHN9500. I actually have two, one used in the office (useful when other people are talking loud on their phone or get crazy around me) and another for home/trip use (yeah, block out and cancel all the noise from Ms). One bought brand new from Harvey Norman at $159 (price varys between $129-249, crazy!), another $90 nearly new from TM. It comes with hardcase for you to carry around or stuff in suitcase not being squashed, including adapter for airline seat. They have good build quality, also good classic looking. It is comfortable to wear and no external battery box, which I found very annoying with some other NC headphones. Sound quality is the best at that price tag (compare to my HD650). Most attractive feature is that you can detach the cable from the headphone with NC turned on, when you need to walk around on plane, make you feel like walking in a church... one AAA battery, rechargeable is recommended if you use it a lot.

talisker: Just avoid Bose! They're the audio equivalent of sets of knives sold by TV advertorials. They have some superficially attractive features to lure people in, but they are junk.

I'm not so sure about that. They used to make excellent 'lifestyle' systems but have not updated the styling since the 70's, and these systems are not even close to competitive last time I had a listen. But this is only one product and does not mean all their other products are crap.

The anti-Bose crowd do tend to get a bit hysterical at times. I have owned a couple of Bose products and wouldn't buy again as they provide poor value for money in terms of audio quality, but their build quality certainly does not warrant the label of 'junk'. In fact my Wave system was manufactured in the United States.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7b yet. I have been eyeing these up for a few months now and will definitely pull the trigger before my trip to Europe in a few months. They seem to offer the best balance of affordability/sound quality/noise cancelling from the reviews I have read. I think you can pick up a pair off ebay for around $200-250NZD landed.

talisker: Just avoid Bose! They're the audio equivalent of sets of knives sold by TV advertorials. They have some superficially attractive features to lure people in, but they are junk.

I'm not so sure about that. They used to make excellent 'lifestyle' systems but have not updated the styling since the 70's, and these systems are not even close to competitive last time I had a listen. But this is only one product and does not mean all their other products are crap.

The anti-Bose crowd do tend to get a bit hysterical at times. I have owned a couple of Bose products and wouldn't buy again as they provide poor value for money in terms of audio quality, but their build quality certainly does not warrant the label of 'junk'. In fact my Wave system was manufactured in the United States.

I mean junk in terms of what you've described - audio quality for the money. They are marketed and priced as providing superlative audio quality yet they are mediocre at best. I wasn't suggesting they are poorly made. Although, is being manufactured in the US a good thing? US products always strike me as clunky and somewhat old-fashioned, and not well made in terms of fit and finish, although probably durable, in a hefty, no nonsense sort of way. "Made in the USA" is seen as a good thing by patriotic Americans, but I don't think it has much value elsewhere.

The M16's do look good but for some reason my mind is always telling me that nothing will compete with Bose even thou i know that is untrue. It probably comes down to me not actually trying anything else apart from Bose or cheap ones that don't do a good job.

alasta: The anti-Bose crowd do tend to get a bit hysterical at times. I have owned a couple of Bose products and wouldn't buy again as they provide poor value for money in terms of audio quality, but their build quality certainly does not warrant the label of 'junk'. In fact my Wave system was manufactured in the United States.

I mean junk in terms of what you've described - audio quality for the money. They are marketed and priced as providing superlative audio quality yet they are mediocre at best. I wasn't suggesting they are poorly made.

In that case we agree entirely. People often imply that Bose makes bad products but that isn't strictly true - it's just a mediocre product which doesn't deliver on the price point or marketing hype.

Although, is being manufactured in the US a good thing? US products always strike me as clunky and somewhat old-fashioned, and not well made in terms of fit and finish, although probably durable, in a hefty, no nonsense sort of way. "Made in the USA" is seen as a good thing by patriotic Americans, but I don't think it has much value elsewhere.

You're probably right. I used to go out of my way to avoid anything made in China, but a couple of my Nikon lenses are made in China as well as my Apple gear and it all seems to be made to a very high standard. Interestingly my micro audio system is an Onkyo which is a Japanese brand, but the main unit is made in Malaysia, the speakers are made in Thailand, and the remote control is made in China! Despite that it's a much better system than my much more expensive Bose Wave system.

Fabian: I've been offered a pair of used Bose QC15's for $280. Should i pull the trigger???

You can buy the Sennheiser PXC-250-II new for about $380 ($300 if you can get a good deal). Admittedly the QC15 has better noise cancelling ability but the PXC-250-II has vastly superior audio quality.

If the price of $280 for the QC15 were for a brand new set then it would be tempting, but if it's second hand then you'd be better paying a bit more for a better alternative brand new.